Disclaimer,
Btw. I didn´t completely wrote Alan´s speech myself, I found it on the internet and altered it.
"Nervous?" John came walking into my room. The small wedding on the beach was changed a bit. It was a gigantic wedding in the mansion.
"Not really. I think James is more nervous than I am." I said honestly and pointed to my best friend who was pacing back and forth across the room. He had no nails left to bite off. "James, life is short. Smile while you still have teeth." I looked at my best man. He pulled a sour smile and went back to pacing. "Is everyone in position?" I asked John.
"Yes. Dad and the rest are still in the hall and haven´t seen anything yet. I made sure off that Wondering how this will play out." John reported.
James held my arm and helped me down the stairs. It was still pretty tough walking up and down with my sustained gunshot wound but I wanted this get-to-getter organized by Lady P and Sandy behind us as quickly as possible and go off to Thailand for honeymoon.
In the hall before the ballroom were my brothers, in suits, waiting.
"Are you ready?" Dad put his hands on my shoulders. The past few weeks, our band has been improved a lot. But until today they didn´t know much about my life. We normally talked about the future and, well just talked about things.
"Absolutely." I said with a big smile.
Dad went first. Followed by Scott, Virgil, Gordon and Parker. John and James were my best mens, walking two steps behind me, guiding me on the left and right side.
When the music began, I turned around to look at my future wife. Before her walked Lady Penelope, Zola and a couple of old friends from San´s high school. Holding on Marcus arm there SHE was. With her taut white gown over her beautiful body. Flowers in her right hand.
We spoke the vows years ago, we had said the words to each other so many times. But now it was official. Now she was Sandy Tracy for the whole world.
We put the rings on our fingers, and I kissed her lightly but with so much love that the rest of the room was silent. Then everyone started clapping bringing me back to the earth.
I held her hand while everyone hugged me. And it felt good to know that I didn´t need to let go.
I was the first to speak during the toast.
"My speech today will be like a mini-skirt. Long enough to cover the essentials but short enough to hold your attention! To be honest I didn't really know where to start, everything I was planing on saying I told my wife a million times. So I thought I'd come up with something on the spot. But then I remembered that I was supposed to be writing a speech. Before I start, there will be plenty of toasts over the next few minutes so please make sure that your glasses are filled.
Firstly, we'd like to thank everyone for their kind words and good wishes. It's lovely to see so many of our family and friends here today to help us celebrate the happiest day of our lives. I know that some of you have travelled a long way to be here and that means a lot to us. It really wouldn't be the same without you all. It'd be a darned sight cheaper, but that's not the point. Thank you all for your very generous gifts. Unfortunately, it's not been possible to have everyone we love here with us today, like my mom, but we know they're here with us in spirit, but more importantly they're with us in our hearts. So, with them in mind, would you please all stand, raise your glasses, and join me in a toast to absent family and friends.
I'd also like to sincerely thank Marcus and James, for making me feel like the brother they never wanted – sorry, the brother they never had, right from day two. Day one was a bit rough, but I think or hope they're over it now.
It can be very difficult when two families come together but we have been extremely lucky. Well maybe not from day one, all right it took a while, but now, We all get on so well, and that is a rare thing. And something that has been made possible by all of you.
There is an unwritten rule of wedding etiquette that states that nobody should look more handsome than the groom, that´s me for the people who just walked in, and I'd like to thank my brothers for sticking to that rule to the letter. Thanks, especially to Gordon.
I have known James, my Best Man, for a few years now and throughout that time he has been there for me when it matters and is always ready with an encouraging word, and a welcome bottle of something strong when things are going badly. And, if I'm being honest, when things are going well. I'd like to thank him for all his help in creating the table plan, so if you have trouble with the person next to you. Go to him. But, most importantly I'd like to thank him for being a true friend.
Apart from my wife, there are two other beautiful ladies here today. Our daughter Zozo and Lady P. We'd like to thank them very much for being such wonderful bridesmaids. So, please stand and join me in a toast to the bridesmaids.
Finally, I would like to thank my wife – I think I'm going to enjoy getting used to saying that – for agreeing to marry me and for making me the happiest man in the world. I think you'll agree that she looks absolutely gorgeous today and when she walked up the aisle, she took my breath away.
They say you don't marry someone you can live with - you marry the person who you can't live without and I think that sums us up perfectly. Now if I had to single out one thing about why I love San so much, it would be the fact that she makes me happier than I ever dreamed I could be. And I intend to spend the rest of my life making sure that the reverse is also true. I know that San has put a huge amount of effort into making today perfect and I think that she has done that, and more. Having known her for a couple of years now, I have learned a valuable lesson – when I'm wrong, admit it. When I'm right, keep quiet! Seriously though, I never have a problem finding the words to express my love for San, but if I start then I probably won't be able to stop. Suffice to say that, San, I love you so much and I can't wait to grow old with you. I love you even more than my car, it that means a lot! Ladies and gentlemen, please stand and raise your glasses to my wife, Sandy Tracy.
Now, I'm not going to stand here all afternoon and bore you all with a load of stale old jokes. That's the Best Man's job! So, without further ado, I'd like to hand over to James."
James told how special it is when your brother and sister get married.
My father said something short about getting a daughter and getting grand kids. Hopefully over a few years. Not right now.
My brothers gave Mark and Sandy an official welcome in the family where Gordon made a joke about staying pure.
Sandy´s bff warned me that I had to watch out, and Sandy taking the last great guy away.
Marcus said that he knew that I would appreciate her.
Zola told me proudly that she now had two fathers and a mother with all the same surname. (James became a Tracy because he couldn´t think of any other name and he didn´t want his parents name back) that she was happy with many uncles and her dear godmother (Lady P)and godfather (Jethro) and even received a grandfather.
When the cake arrived San refused to give me a bite because she didn´t want to risk me falling during the dance. Thankfully James had thought of everything. Of the five layers cake was the top layer almost sugar free. Zola and I could eat that without any problems.
People made a line to congratulate us. We stood in front of the table with our family behind us. Zola sat on my hip, the poor child was uncomfortable by all the attention and her head was buried in my shoulder.
Chi and Wohn were first. "ALAN" cried Wohn. I sank through my knees to hug the little chinese.
"Hey." I said back in Chinese. "Everything all right back home?"
Sandy nudged me. "Speak English. He understands you and I can´t follow Chinese." She said smiling at Chi.
"All good thanks to you." said Chi.
"Don`t mention it. Look Wohn, these are my brothers and my father." I pointed back. "That's what you wanted to know right? Who my family was?"
"John, James, I missed you two." Wohn ran to the table and hugged both men. Shy the little boy waved to the rest before turning to me again. "Is this your daughter?" He asked and looked at Zola.
"Yes she is."
"Will you dance with me?" Asked Wohn. Zola nodded and I put her down. Hand in hand the two young children walked to the empty dance floor. I rubbed my painful chest, Zola is heavier than when we met for the first time.
"Chi, you´re sure everything is okay?" Now my arms were free and the pain went away, I could embrace the older Chinese. "No more symptoms?"
"I couldn´t be better. Everyone is doing great." He hugged Sandy too. "I wish you all the luck."
"Thanks." I pointed to the buffet. "We have chicken but ..."
"I think I skip it." He said with a small smile. "Maybe next time. But thanks." Behind me John started to laugh earning some strange looks from the rest.
Padlo and Marion were next. Padlo in his Greece way, kissed Sandy and me on both cheeks and began to laugh. "I need to give it to you Tracy. You know how to build a party." He bellowed.
"I'm so glad you could make it." I said in Greek. I earned a new punch from Sandy and snickering from John and Gordon behind me. "So you have found someone to watch the farm? '
"We didn´t want to miss it." Marion said as she hugged me. "Have you already kicked James his ass for scaring you?"
"Not yet." I admitted.
"Allow me." She whispered. "JAMES COME HERE NOW!" She yelled.
Sandy and I chuckled when James very quickly jumped on his feet and made a run for it . Padlo began to laugh even harder and walked after his wife.
Jethro and a red-haired woman were now. Jethro completely in generals suit and woman in a red evening gown that suits her hair.
"So rookie. Finally." We hugged each other briefly.
I whispered in his ear softly. "Another red hair?" After he withdrew laughing. "You must be Susan. It is an honor to finally meet you. "
"And you're Alan. I've heard so much about you. How are you?" She pointed to her chest on the place where the bullet hit me.
"It takes more than a few bullets to get me down." I said with a smile. In the corner of my eye I saw Sandy and Jethro talking softly and hugging each other.
Aunt Liz followed. We hugged each other and I pointed backwards. "Guys, this is mom's younger sister. So your aunt." I could actually hear the mouths drop open. Or maybe it was because of who followed after Liz.
"Barack! You're here? Michelle you look beautiful. Where are the kids? "
"I didn´t want to miss it for the world. You three always provide a little entertaining during my parties. The children were on the dance floor with your daughter and her friend."
"I'm glad you're here. May I introduce you to Jeff Tracy. My father." I turned around. "Dad, this is ..."
"I know who it is." Said my father. "What I don´t know is, how it is that you know them."
Obama looked at me. "You really never told?" He asked surprised. "I thought Jethro was joking."
"State secret. I told Sandy but otherwise kept my mouth shut."
"As President you´re allowed reveal some secrets. Jeff... Can I call you Jeff?" Barack, with his wife at his side, walked past me to get to my father.
Next was Mo. I hugged my Moroccan friend and we only spoke sort before he went on. However, he managed to tell Achmed couldn´t come because he didn´t want to leave his daughter Samira behind. She was still too young to fly.
Ilse waved from the dance floor which she flew with Marcus. The two doctors could still get along.
A lot of school friends of Sandy and me followed. I made a chat with everyone. After I had spoken with everyone, I pulled Sandy on the dance floor. We danced over the floor as if we were flying. Sandy guide me and I gave myself completely to her.
On the evening I danced with many girl. Lady P, Zola, Sandy's friends, but I kept coming back to her.
My wife.
